Our
whole life we constantly move from one stage to another and the motive of each
stage is to achieve something or fulfil a conventional goal. It can be
completing your education, moving to a new city, gaining a job or starting a
family – all this counts as the traditional route of one’s life. Change is the
only constant and it is the will to move forward that helps you succeed in
life. Being a Project Manager is only a pit stop in the long journey of
success.
In this
article, I will help you figure out which direction to go next after the role
of a Project Manager. After considerable years of experience in the role, you
have various options available that can help you develop different aspects of
your personality and acquire new skills. The Project Management experience will
not only be valuable in the long run of your career but also help you choose
from the options listed below to move up in your career:
Program
Manager
According
to PMI, Program is “a group of related projects managed in a coordinated way to
obtain benefits and control not available from managing them individually.” A
Program Manager articulates a program's strategy and objectives to assesses how
it will impact a business. He or she must define and oversee a list of
dependent projects needed to reach the program's overall goals. Program
management is the process of managing several related projects. The person who
manages multiple projects is a Program Manager. Managers of the individual
projects directly report to the Program Manager. This is a very responsible
position and requires an ample amount of experience and knowledge.
Delivery
Manager
Delivery
managers maximize the efficiency of the given tasks with the available
resources. Communication with higher stakeholders, provide guidance to fellow
projects managers and program managers, regular review of the projects and help
remove any impediments that the team or the projects may be facing are some of
the key responsibilities of a Delivery Manager. Delivery Manager profile may
vary from company to company and sometimes can be interchangeable with Program
Manager.
Product
Manager
Product
Manager is the chief of the Product in a product-based company. There can be
multiple projects under one product. Product Manager has a customer-centric
approach needed to understand the wants and problems of the customer. Product
Managers own the business strategy behind a product, specify its functional
requirements, and generally manage the launch of features. The Product Manager
defines the why, when, and what of the product that the engineering team
builds. They lead cross-functional teams from product’s conception to its
launch. The Product Manager is responsible for setting a product vision and
strategy.
Director
IT/Head of Delivery/Vice Precedent/COO/CTO/CIO
These
job titles are commonly given to the most senior executive in an enterprise who
works with information technology and computer systems, to support enterprise
goals. These are the topmost leadership and strategic roles in an organization
that go by different job titles. They provide the roadmap and guidance for
business growth. Responsibilities of the above roles can differ from
organization to organization.
Consultant
/ Subject Matter Expert / Trainer / Coach
A
consultant is a professional who provides expert advice in an area such as
business, education, law, regulatory compliance, human resources, marketing,
public relations, finance, health care, engineering, science, information
security, or any of many other specialized fields. A consultant is the master
of one or a combination of subjects. These subjects can be related to
Technology, Functional or Process. People and companies usually approach the
consultant to gain the guidance or solution of their problems. Consultants are
risk analysts and problem solvers. You need to be updated in the respective
field. Hence, continuous study and knowledge access are required to get
yourself familiar with the latest technology and trends of the subject. You
also need to understand the common issues and problems in your area of
expertise so that you can help others. You can provide training to people as
well in your specific field and start your own consultancy business.
Enterprise
Architect
According
to Wikipedia - Enterprise architecture is "a well-defined practice for
conducting enterprise analysis, design, planning, and implementation, using a
comprehensive approach always, for the successful development and execution of
strategy. Enterprise architecture applies architecture principles and practices
to guide organizations through the business, information, process, and technology
changes necessary to execute their
strategies. These practices utilize the various aspects of an enterprise to
identify, motivate, and achieve these changes." There is a lot of scope in
Enterprise Architecture after the Project Management experience.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is a person who sets up a business, taking on financial risks in
the hope of profit. If you want to be your boss, then this position is for you.
This will help you to work according to your need, requirement and pace. You
need to manage every aspect of business-like Sales, Marketing, Delivery,
Operations, Human Resource Management, Finance and Audit. There are various
ways of doing business, you can start your own business from scratch, or you
may buy some existing business and drive it. In both cases either you are
solving a problem, or you are doing the things in a new way. Nowadays, the
government provides help and support for the development of Startups. If you
are successful in your business, then gradually after a couple of years, your
startup will become a big enterprise.
There
are many options available for further growth, all you need to do is stay
consistent. In starting you may be fearful and apprehensive. New challenges may
scare you but after some time when everything is familiar, you will eventually
grow and rise above. Every next step will take you further up in the career.
Stay motivated and keep adding value in your professional life. Develop your
capabilities and explore the above-mentioned options based on your area of
interest and you will never regret in the future about your career
decisions.
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